Exercise assisting apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention produces an exercise assisting apparatus which is configured to vary user&#39;s weight which acts on the user&#39;s leg and the user&#39;s buttocks at a great ratio. The exercise assisting apparatus comprises a base, a pair of foot supports, and a pair of guides. A pair of the foot supports is configured to bear the user&#39;s left foot and the user&#39;s right foot respectively. Each guide comprises a guide rail for guiding each the foot support. Each the guide rail allows each the foot support to move along the front-back direction. Each the guide rail is configured to swing about one of a front-back axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis. The front-back axis extends along the front back direction of the base. The lateral axis extends along a lateral direction of the base. The vertical axis extends along a vertical direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to exercise assisting apparatus. Particularly,this invention relates to an exercise assisting apparatus beingconfigured to give passive exercise to the user in order to allowmuscles of the user's leg to contract and stretch.

BACKGROUND ART

The exercise assisting apparatus has been suggested in the past. Theexercise assisting apparatus is configured to give the passive exerciseto the user. The prior exercise assisting apparatus is configured toapply external force to the user's body in order to contract and stretchthe user's muscle. Consequently, there is no need for the user toactively move the user's muscle. One of the types of the exerciseassisting apparatus allows the user to bend and stretch the user'sjoint. Consequently, the one of the types of the exercise assistingapparatus allows the user to contract and stretch the user's musclesaround joint which is contracted and stretched. The exercise assistingapparatus comprises a seat for supporting a part of the user's weight.The seat is configured to be moved in order to vary a ratio of theuser's weight which is supported by the seat. Consequently, the exerciseassisting apparatus is configured to vary the user's weight which actson the user's leg.

In this manner, although the exercise assisting apparatus hardly allowsthe user to bend and stretch the user's knee, the exercise assistingapparatus allows user's muscle of the thigh to contract and stretch. Inaddition, the exercise assisting apparatus reduces the weight applied tothe user's leg as compared with the case where an entire user's weightis applied. Therefore, this exercise assisting apparatus is capable ofbeing used by the user with diabetes who has knee pain. Furthermore, thethigh has large size. Therefore, the exercise assisting apparatus isexpected to improve lifestyle diseases by way of contraction and stretchof the muscle of the thigh for metabolizing sugar. In addition, theexercise assisting apparatus has a drive source which is configured todisplace the seat. Therefore, the exercise assisting apparatus allowsthe user to passively exercise, whereby there is seldom any need for theuser to move the user's muscle. Thus, coupled with low load, theexercise assisting apparatus is capable of being used by the user havinglow ability to exercise.

The exercise assisting apparatus of the above configuration isconfigured to vary bending angle of the knee so as to vary the loadwhich acts on the user's leg. Consequently, the exercise assistingapparatus varies the load which acts on the user's muscle of the thigh.Such an exercise assisting apparatus is disclosed in a following patentliterature 1. The exercise assisting apparatus of the patent literature1 comprises the foot support for bearing the user's foot. The footsupport is fixed. Therefore, the user's foot is positioned such that theuser's foot is secured by the foot support. However, the exerciseassisting apparatus is configured to vary the weight which acts on theuser's leg by varying the bending angle of the knee joint. In otherwords, the exercise assisting apparatus with the fixed foot supporthardly varies the bending angle of the ankle joint. (The bending angleis defined by an angle which is formed between lower leg and dorsum ofthe foot.) Therefore, the variation of the ratio of the load which isapplied to the user's leg is limited.

Patent literature 1: Japanese patent application publication No.2007-89650

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

This invention is achieved to solve the above problem. An object in thisinvention is to provide an exercise assisting apparatus which isconfigured to vary the direction by way of varying the bending anglessuch as ankle joint, whereby the exercise assisting apparatus varies theload which acts on the foot and the buttock at a great ratio.

Means of Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above problem, the exercise assisting apparatuscomprises a base, a pair of foot supports, and a pair of guides. A pairof the foot supports is provided on the base. A pair of the footsupports is shaped to bear user's left foot right foot respectively. Apair of the guides is provided on the base. A pair of the guides definesindividual travel paths. The respective foot supports are guided alongthe travel paths. Each the guide extends in a front-back direction suchthat each the guide allows each the foot support to move in thefront-back direction. The guide is configured to allow each the footsupport to rotate about one of a back and forth axis, a lateral axis,and a vertical axis while the foot support is guided to move along thetravel path. The back and forth axis extends along the back and forthdirection. The lateral axis extends along the back and forth direction.The vertical direction extends along the vertical direction.

It is preferred that the foot supports are composed of a left footsupport and a right foot support. The travel path of said guide for saidleft foot support is configured to move the left foot support leftwardas the left foot support moves forward. The travel path of the guide forthe foot support for the right foot support is configured to move theright foot support rightward as the right foot support moves forward.The exercise assisting apparatus further comprises a drive means. Thedrive means is configured to move the right foot support along anoblique direction as the left foot support is caused to move leftwardand forward along the travel path for the left foot support. The obliquedirection for moving the right foot support extends leftward andbackward along the travel path for the right foot support. The drivemeans is configured to move the left foot support along an obliquedirection as the left foot support is caused to move rightward andbackward along the travel path for the right foot support. The obliquedirection for moving the left foot support extends rightward and forwardalong the travel path for the left foot support.

ADVANTAGE EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

The exercise assisting apparatus of this invention is configured to varythe direction of the user's foot such that the exercise assistingapparatus varies the user's weight which acts on the user' leg between10% and 30 to 40%. That is, the exercise assisting apparatus of thisinvention is capable of varying a direction of the direction of the footso as to vary a ratio of the load which acts on the user's leg on thefoot support and the user's buttocks at a great rate.

In addition, the foot support is composed of the left foot support andthe right foot support. The travel path of the guide for guiding theleft foot support is configured to move the left foot support leftwardas the left foot support moves forward. The travel path of the guide forguiding the right foot support is configured to move the right footsupport rightward as the right foot support moves forward. The drivemeans is configured to move the right foot support along an obliquedirection as the left foot support is caused to move leftward andforward along the travel path for the left foot support. The obliquedirection for moving the right foot support extends leftward andbackward along the travel path for the right foot support. The drivemeans is configured to move the left foot support along an obliquedirection as the left foot support is caused to move rightward andforward along the travel path for the right foot support. The obliquedirection for moving the left foot support extends rightward andbackward along the travel path for the left foot support. Therefore,this exercise assisting apparatus is configured to give the exercise tothe user while the exercise assisting apparatus moves the center of thegravity in the front-back direction at a small distance. Consequently,the exercise assisting apparatus is also used by the user who has lowbalance ability.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foot support andthe base in the embodiment of the exercise assisting apparatus.

FIG. 1B is a planer view in the embodiment of the exercise assistingapparatus.

FIG. 1C is a front cross-sectional view in the embodiment of theexercise assisting apparatus.

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the foot support andthe base in another embodiment of the above.

FIG. 2B is a planer view in the above.

FIG. 2C is a front cross sectional view in the above.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view in the above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic planer view in the above.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view in the above.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the seat drive unit in theabove.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the seat drive unit of the above.

FIG. 8 is a planer view in yet another embodiment of the above.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view in yet another embodiment of theabove.

FIG. 10 is a rear cross sectional view of the main part of the above.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the above.

FIG. 12A is a block diagram showing the drive unit of the above.

FIG. 12B is a block diagram showing the drive unit of the above.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view seen from the right of the above.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the foot support and the base of theabove.

FIG. 15 is an explanation illustration showing the foot position whenthe exercise assisting apparatus is used.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 base-   15 hollow-   16 groove-   17 guide rail-   17 a front guide rail-   17 b rear guide rail-   18 moving space-   19 groove-   2 foot support-   2 a left foot support-   2 b right foot support-   21 seat-   25 protrusion-   25 a front protrusion-   25 b rear protrusion-   26 crossbar-   27 return means-   3 drive unit-   4 guide-   50 seat drive unit-   60 elevation unit-   HD handle-   M user

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment in this invention is explained with FIGS. 1to 7.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the embodiment of the exercise assisting apparatus.The exercise assisting apparatus comprises a base 10, a carrier 90, anda post HP. The base 10 is placed on a location like a floor. The carrier90 is disposed on the base 10. The carrier 90 is provided at its top endwith a seat 91 for supporting buttocks of the user M. The post HP isdisposed on the base 10, and holds at it top end with a handle HD. Thehandle HD is provided for being held by the user M if needed. The base10 further holds a pair of foot supports 2. More specifically, the base10 further holds a left foot support 2 a and a right foot support 2 b.The left foot support 2 a is located between the carrier 90 and the postHP. The right foot support 2 b is located between the carrier 90 and thepost HP. The foot supports 2 are provided with top surfaces which areprovided for bearing the user's foot. The left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b is collectively referred to as the foot supports2. The left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b areexplained later.

The carrier 90 is provided with a seat drive unit 50 and an elevationunit 60. The seat drive unit 50 is configured to swing the seat 91. Theelevation unit 60 is configured to move the seat 91 and the seat driveunit 50 upwardly and downwardly relative to the base 10. The seat drive50 and the elevation unit 60 are explained later.

The exercise assisting apparatus is used by the user M who rests theuser's buttock on a seat surface 91 a of the seat 91, and rest theuser's feet on the respective foot supports 2. The seat drive unit 50comprises a drive source. The seat drive unit 50 allows the drive sourceto swing the seat 91 so as to vary position of the user's buttock,whereby the user's own weight acts on the user's leg is varied. That is,the exercise assisting apparatus supports the user so as to distributethe user's own weight to the user's leg and the user's buttocks. Inaddition, the exercise assisting apparatus varies the position of theuser's buttocks in order to increase and decrease the weight which issupported by the buttocks. As a result, the exercise assisting apparatusvaries the weight which acts on the user's leg.

Next, a case where the user sits on the seat while the user bends theknee joint at a predetermined angle is explained. In this case, whenexercise assisting apparatus decreases the weight supported by the seat91, the load which acts on the user's leg is increased. This motion isequivalent to a motion of bending the knee joint by a squat motion.Therefore, the exercise assisting apparatus makes it possible to allowthe user's thigh muscle to contract and stretch. Consequently, when thedrive source swings the seat 91, the exercise assisting apparatus givesthe passive exercise (without active exercise) to the user so as tocontract and stretch the user's thigh muscle repeatedly. That is, it ispossible to exercise the user's thigh muscles mainly by means ofswinging the seat 91 by the seat drive unit 50.

It is preferred to employ the seat 91 which is configured to be swungalong a swing direction such that the movement of the seat 91 causes noshear force to the knee joint. When the user M rests the buttocks on theseat surface 91 a, the user M is capable of having a natural posture ina condition where distance between the toes is larger than the distancebetween the heels. It is possible to determine the angle θ2 between thecenter lines along a longitudinal direction of both the feet by thepositions of the feet which are placed on the respective foot supports2. Therefore, it is preferred to move the seat along a directionextending from left heel toward left toe (from right heel toward righttoe). In this case, it is possible to exercise the user without theshear force which acts on the knee joint. That is, the seat 91 isconfigured to move within the swing area which has a rear end and afront end. In addition, the seat 91 is configured to move leftward andalso outward when the seat moves forward in a first period, and isconfigured to move rightward and also outward when the seat movesforward in a second period. With this configuration, it is possible toapply the user's own weight to each the left leg and the right legwithout applying the shear force to the knee joints.

It is noted that, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the contact surface 91a which is equivalent to the top surface of the seat 91 is approximatelyparallel to the horizontal plane. However, the exercise assistingapparatus causes the contraction and stretch of the thigh muscle bymeans of varying the weight which acts on the user's legs. Therefore, itis preferred that the seat surface 91 a which comes into contact withthe user's buttocks is inclined downward and also forward with respectto the horizontal plane. This seat is capable of easily increasing theweight which acts on the user's legs when the seat is moved from therear end to the front end. Therefore, this configuration makes itpossible to exercise the user with high efficiency.

The post HP is provided at its top end with an operation device DP. Theoperation device DP is located at a center of the handle HD. Theoperation device DP is used for entry of the operation instruction. Theoperation instruction is used for setting the movement of the seat driveunit 50 and the elevation unit 60. Furthermore, the operation device DPis configured to display contents indicating an amount of exercise. Inaddition, the user is able to hold the handle HD. Therefore, the user isable to hold the handle in order to stabilize the position of the user'supper body.

Hereinafter, a structure of the carrier 90 is particularly explained. Asshown in FIG. 5, the carrier 90 has a support body 92 having a hollowstructure. The support body 92 incorporates a lower end of the elevationunit 60 therein. The elevation unit 60 comprises an elevation base 61which is configured to move upward and downward relative to the supportbody 92. The elevation base 61 has a top end which holds the seat driveunit 50. Therefore, the seat drive unit 50 with the seat 91 is movablerelative to the base 10.

The support body 92 has a center line. The center line is linear, andextends along a direction which is backwardly inclined with the verticaldirection. That is, the center line extends backward and also upward.When the elevation base 61 moves within the support body 92, the seatsurface 91 is moved along a straight line parallel to the center line.Consequently, it is possible to adjust the position of the seat surface91 a of the seat 91. In other words, the seat surface 91 a of the seat91 has its position which is adjusted in the vertical direction inaddition to the lateral direction. Furthermore, the seat surface 91 a ofthe seat 91 moves rearward as the seat 91 moves upward. The anglebetween the base 10 and the center line of the support body 92 ismentioned below.

The drive unit 62 comprises a drive motor 63. The drive unit 62 isconfigured to move the elevation base 61 upward and downward. Theelevation drive unit 62 comprises a fixing member 64 and a movablemember 65 in addition to the drive motor 63. The fixing member 64 isshaped to have a column, and fixed to the base 10. The movable member 65is screwed to the fixing member 64. The drive motor 63 is configured togenerate the rotation movement. The speed of the rotation movement isdecreased. The movable member 65 is rotated by the rotation movementwhose speed is decreased. In this manner, the movable member 65 is movedforwardly and backwardly relative to the fixing member 64. The elevationbase 61 is mounted on the top end of the movable member 65. Theelevation base 61 is configured to move upward and downward as themovable member 65 moves forward and backward relative to the fixingmember 64.

The elevation base 61 is provided with a pedestal 61 a for mounting theseat drive unit 50. The pedestal 61 a is provided at its lower surfacewith a pair of guide plates 61 b. The movable member 65 is provided witha top end which is coupled to the lower surface of the pedestal 61 a. Inaddition, each the guide plate 61 b has side surfaces which hold rollers61 c respectively. The support body 92 is provided at its inner surfacewith rails 92 a. The elevation base 61 is configured to move relative tothe support body 92 smoothly by way of guiding the roller 61 c by therails 92 a. It is noted that the exercise assisting apparatus preferablycomprises a sensor and a control means. The sensor is configured todetect an amount of distance that the movable member 65 moves forwardand backward. The control means is configured to control the rotation ofthe drive motor 63. Consequently, when the user enters a target value tothe operation device DP, the control means controls the drive motor 63such that an amount of the distance that the movable member 65 detectedby the sensor becomes equal to the target value. However, thisconfiguration is optional matter of the invention. Therefore, theexplanation of this configuration is omitted.

A hollow cover 66 is attached to the pedestal 61 a of the elevation base61. The hollow cover 66 has its lower end which is located at a positionwhich corresponds to the area of the elevation drive unit 62 whichexpand and contract. The lower end of the hollow cover 66 is overlappedwith the outer surface of the support body 92. Consequently, even if theelevation drive unit 62 has a state of being most expanded, theelevation base 61 is not exposed to the outside. Furthermore, thepedestal 61 a of the elevation base 61 is covered by a unit cover 67.The unit cover 67 is made from a cloth like soft material. The unitcover 67 is shaped to cover a space between the pedestal 61 a and theseat 91, thereby preventing the seat drive unit 50 from being exposed tothe outside.

Next, the seat drive unit 50 is explained with FIGS. 6 and 7. The seatdrive unit 50 is cooperative with the pedestal 61 a of the elevationbase 61 to construct the swing mechanism for swinging the seat 91. Thepedestal 61 a is formed at its top surface with a front pivot supportplate 51 a, a rear pivot support plate 51 b, and a front shaft 52 a, arear shaft 52 b. The seat drive unit 50 is pivotally supported to thefront bearing plate 51 a and the rear bearing plate 51 b, and the frontshaft 52 a and the rear shaft 52 b. The front pivot support plate 51 ais coaxial with the rear pivot support plate 51 b. The seat drive unit50 is swung about the front shaft 52 a and the rear shaft 52 b. When theseat drive unit is swung about the front shaft 52 a and the rear shaft52 b, the seat 91 is moved along the lateral direction of the seat 9which is coupled to the seat drive unit 50. (The lateral direction ofthe seat 9 is equivalent to the direction indicated by an arrow N inFIG. 5.)

The seat drive unit 50 is provided at its front end with a front frameplate 53 a and also is provided at its rear end with a rear frame plate53 b. The front frame plate 53 a is coupled to the rear frame plate 53 bvia a left side frame plate 54 a and a right side frame plate 54 b. Theleft side frame plate 54 a is supported to a lower end of the front link55 via a shaft 55 a, and also is supported to a lower end of the rearlink 56 via a shaft 55 b. The right side frame plate 54 b is supportedto the lower end of the front link 55 via the shaft 55 a, and also issupported to the lower end of the rear link 56 via the shaft 56 b. Eachthe front link 55 and the rear link 56 are configured to rotate aboutthe lateral axis extending along the lateral direction. The upper end ofthe front link 55 is pivotally supported to a mounting plate 57 via ashaft 55 b. The upper end of the rear link 56 is pivotally supported tothe mounting plate 57 via a shaft 56 b. The upper end of the front link55 is also pivotally supported to the mounting plate 56 via the shaft 55b. The upper end of the rear link 56 is also pivotally supported to themounting plate 57 via the shaft 56 b. The mounting plate 57 secures thebearing plate 57 a. The upper end of the rear link 56 is pivotallysupported to the mounting plate 57 through the bearing plate 57 a. Inother words, the upper end of the rear link 56 is pivotally supported tothe mounting plate 57 indirectly.

The mounting plate 57 has a moving range such that the front end of themounting plate 57 is restricted to move along an arc which is centeredabout the shaft 55 a. In addition, the mounting plate 57 has the movingrange such that the rear end of the mounting plate 57 is restricted tomove along an arc which is centered about the shaft 56 a. The rear link56 has a length which is greater than a length of the front link 55.Therefore, the arc which is centered about the shaft 55 a has a rollingradius. Similarly, the arc which is centered about the shaft 56 a has arolling radius. The rolling radius of the arc which is centered aboutthe shaft 55 a is different from the rolling radius of the arc which iscentered about the shaft 56 a. Therefore, an inclination angle of a topsurface of the mounting plate 57 is varied as the mounting plate 57moves forward and backward. Specifically, a case where the position ofthe mounting plate shown in FIG. 7 is located in the rear end of themoving range is explained. According to movement of the mounting plate57 forwardly, the front end of the mounting plate 57 moves downwardrelative to the rear end of the mounting plate 57. Consequently, theinclination angle of the top surface of the mounting plate 57 isenlarged. In contrast, when the mounting plate 57 moves backward fromthe front end of the moving range, the front end of the mounting plate57 is moved upward relative to the rear end of the mounting plate 57.That is, the seat 91 is configured to be moved forward and backward. (Inother words, the seat 91 is configured to be moved along a directionindicated by an arrow X in FIG. 5.) Although FIG. 5 shows a linearmovement of the mounting plate 57, inclination angle of the mountingplate 57 is actually varied according to the movement of the mountingplate 57. Therefore, the mounting plate 57 is moved by a compoundmovement which is composed of the linear movement along the front-backdirection with the rotation movement.

The motor 71 acts as the driving source for swinging the mounting plate57 relative to the pedestal 61 a. The motor 71 is held by both the leftside frame 54 a and the right side frame 54 b. In addition, the motor 71is disposed on the pedestal 61 a such that an output shaft of the motor71 is directed to extend toward an upper direction. The output shaft ofthe motor 71 is coupled to a worm 72. The left side frame plate 54 a andthe right side frame plate 54 b rotatably support a first shaft 73 and asecond shaft 74. The first shaft 73 is provided with a worm wheel 75which is meshed with the worm 72. The first shaft 73 is also providedwith a gear 76. The second shaft 74 is provided with a gear 77. The gear77 is meshed with the gear 76.

The first shaft 73 is provided at its both ends with eccentric cranks78. The eccentric cranks 78 are configured to rotate with the firstshaft 73. Each the eccentric crank 78 pivotally supports a first end ofthe arm link 79. Each the arm link 79 has a second end which ispivotally supported to the axial pin which extends both leftward andrightward of the front link 55.

With this configuration, when the motor 71 rotates, the first shaft 73also rotates. According to the rotation of the first shaft 73, theeccentric crank 78 and the arm link 79 allow the front link 55 toreciprocate about a shaft 55 a such that the front link 55 reciprocatesin a front-back direction. In addition, the eccentric crank 78 and thefront link 55 allows the front end of the mounting plate 57 to swingabout the shaft 55 a such that the front end of the mounting plate 57moves in a front-back direction (a direction indicated by the arrow X).Moreover, the rear link 56 rotates about the shaft 56 a. Therefore, theinclination angle of the top surface of the mounting plate 57 is variedaccording to the movement of the mounting plate 57 in the front-backdirection.

In contrast, the second shaft 74 is provided at its first end with aneccentric pin 74 a. The eccentric pin 74 a is pivotally supported to afirst end of an eccentric rod 80. The second end of the eccentric rod 80is swingably coupled to a connecting fitting 81 which is attached to thepedestal 61 a. It should be noted that the eccentric pin 74 a and theeccentric rod 80 may be provided whether the left side of the seat driveunit 50 or the right side of the seat drive unit 50.

With this configuration, when the motor 71 rotates, the first shaft 73transmits the rotation of the motor 71 so as to rotate the second shaft74. According to the rotation of the second shaft 74 having theeccentric pin 74 a and the eccentric rod 80, a height of the eccentricpin 74 a with respect to the pedestal 61 a is varied. As a result, themounting plate 57 swings about the front shaft 52 a and the rear shaft52 b such that the mounting plate 57 swings along a direction indicatedby an arrow N.

It is noted that the motor is realized by a brushless DC motor. Thedrive motor 63 is realized by a DC motor. The drive motor 63 is disposedwithin a space surrounded by the front frame plate 53 a, the rear frameplate 53 b, the left side frame plate 54 a, the right side frame plate54 b, the pedestal 61 a, and the mounting plate 57. The gears 75, 76,and 77 are also disposed in the space. Therefore, the seat drive unit 50is designed to have a small size.

The seat drive unit 50 is configured to move the seat 91 toward twodirections. One direction is equivalent to a direction directingforward, rightward, and downward. One direction is equivalent to adirection directing forward, leftward, and downward. In addition, theabove configuration makes it possible to move the seat 91 along a movingtrajectory of V-shape in this embodiment by means of the following twosetting. The first setting is to apply a phase difference between theeccentric crank 78 and the eccentric pin 74 a. The second setting is tovary gear ratio between the gear 76 and the gear 77. The V-shapedtrajectory is traced by the seat 91 when the seat 91 is laterallyreciprocated once per anteroposteriorly reciprocated twice. Similarly,the above configuration makes it possible to move the seat 91 along themoving trajectory of W-shape. The W-shaped trajectory is traced by theseat 91 when the seat 91 is laterally reciprocated once peranteroposteriorly reciprocated four times. In addition, the aboveconfiguration makes it possible to move the seat 91 along the movingtrajectory of “8-shape (eight shape)”. That is, the 8-shaped trajectoryis traced when the seat is laterally reciprocated once per theanteroposteriorly reciprocated twice, and the rear end of the movingrange is eccentrically located at the left side or the right side.

The drive motor 63 and the motor 71 are started and stopped by theoperation of the operation device DP. That is, the operation device DPis provided with a first operation switch. The first operation switch isused for inputting the instruction of starting or stopping the motor 71,and of setting the rotation speed of the motor 71. Furthermore, thefirst operation switch is used for inputting the instruction of exercisetime and the exercise intensity that the user exercises. In addition,the operation device DP is also provided with a second operation switch.The second operation switch is used for moving the seat 91 upward anddownward. The exercise assisting apparatus further comprises a controlcircuit (not shown) which is configured to control the motor 71, thedrive motor 63, and the display on the basis of the first operationswitch and the second operation switch.

Next, the foot supports 2 (the left foot support 2 a and the right footsupport 2 b) are explained. The base 10 is provided with a pair ofguides 4. The left foot support 2 a is configured to move along a travelpath which is defined by the guide 4. The right foot support 2 b isconfigured to move along a travel path which is defined by the guide 4.The guide 4 allows the left foot support 2 a (the right foot support 2b) to move along the front-back direction and also to rotate about atleast one of a back and forth axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis.The back and forth axis extends along the front-back direction. Thelateral axis extends along the lateral direction. The vertical axisextends along the vertical direction.

A case where the guides 4 allow the foot supports 2 to rotate about theback and forth axis, as shown in this embodiment, is explained. In thiscase, the guide for the left foot support is shaped to guide the leftfoot support 2 a such that a front end of the left foot support 2 a islocated lower than a rear end of the left foot support 2 a when the leftfoot support 2 a is located in a front end of the travel path of theguide for the left foot support. In addition, the guide 4 for the rightfoot support is shaped to guide the left foot support 2 a to have aplane which is parallel to the horizontal plane when the left footsupport 2 a is located in a rear end of the travel path of the guide forthe left foot support. The guide 4 for the right foot support is shapedto guide the right foot support 2 b such that a front end of the rightfoot support 2 b is located lower than a rear end of the right footsupport 2 b when the right foot support 2 b is located in a front end ofthe travel path of the guide 4 for the right foot support. In addition,the guide 4 is shaped to guide the right foot support 2 b to have aplane which is parallel to horizontal plane when the right foot support2 b is located in a rear end of the travel path. The base 10 is providedat its inside with hollows 15. The hollows 15 correspond to the travelpaths of the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 brespectively. The upper wall of the hollow 15 is provided with a groove16. The groove 16 has a longitudinal direction which is equal to theback and forth direction. In addition, the travel path of the left footsupport 2 a extends along an oblique direction such that the travel pathof the left foot support 2 a extends forward and also leftward. Thetravel path of the right foot support 2 b extends along an obliquedirection such that the travel path of the right foot support 2 bextends forward and rightward. Each the groove is formed along each thetravel path. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the obliquetravel path seen from a top side is mentioned as the front-backdirection.

Each the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b isprovided at its front half of the bottom surface with a front protrusion25. The front protrusion 25 extends downward. The left foot support 2 ais provided at its rear half of the bottom surface with a rearprotrusion 25. The rear protrusion 25 extends downward. The frontprotrusion 25 and the rear protrusion 25 pass through the groove 16. Thelower ends of the front protrusion 25 and the rear protrusion 25 arelocated at an inside of the hollow 15. The front protrusion and the rearprotrusion are provided at its lower end with front cross bar 26 and arear cross bar 26, respectively. Each one of the front cross bar 26 andthe rear cross bar 26 has a length which is greater than a width of thegroove 16. The lengthwise direction of the cross bar 26 is parallel tothe width direction of the groove 16. The bottom of the hollow 15 isprovided with guide rails 17 which act as the guides 4. The guide rail17 is composed of a front guide rail 17 a and a rear guide rail 17 b.The front guide rail 17 a is shaped to guide the front crossbar 26. Therear guide rail 17 b is shaped to guide the rear cross bar 26.

The guide rail 17 is shaped to receive the cross bar 26 therein. Theguide rail 17 determines a vertical position of the crossbar 26according to the position of the crossbar 26 in the front-backdirection. In this embodiment, the guide rail 17 has a box shape and isformed to have a moving space 18. The moving space 18 allows thecrossbar 26 to move along the front-back direction of the moving space18. The guide rail 17 has an upper wall which is formed with a groove 19extending in a front-back direction along the longitudinal direction ofthe moving space 18. The groove 19 has a width which is smaller than thelength of the crossbar 26. In addition, the groove 19 has the widthwhich is slightly greater than the width of the front protrusion 25 andthe rear protrusion 25. The front protrusion 25 and the rear protrusion25 are inserted into the moving space through the groove 19.Consequently, the cross bar 26 is located within the moving space 18such that the crossbar 26 is prohibited to be removed from the movingspace. In addition, the moving space 18 of the front guide rail 17 a isinclined toward an oblique direction which extends forward and downward.The crossbar 26 is inclined toward an oblique direction which extendsforward and downward such that the crossbar 26 moves toward a downwarddirection as the crossbar 26 moves toward a forward direction. Themoving space 18 of the rear guide rail 17 b is parallel to thehorizontal plane. Therefore, a vertical position of the moving space 18of the rear guide rail 17 b has a level which is equal to a level of avertical position of the rear end of the moving space 18 of the frontguide rail 17 a.

Consequently, when the left foot support 2 a moves forward of the travelpath, the front crossbar 26 of the left foot support 2 a moves downward.In contrast, when the left foot support 2 a moves forward of the travelpath, the rear crossbar 26 of the left foot support 2 a keeps the heightof the rear crossbar 26 of the left foot support. Similarly, when theright foot support 2 b moves forward of the travel path, the frontcrossbar 26 of the right foot support moves downward. In contrast, whenthe right foot support 2 b moves forward of the travel path, the rearcrossbar 26 of the right foot support keeps the height of the rearcrossbar 26 of the right foot support. Therefore, in this case, thefront end of the left foot support 2 a (right foot support 2 b) islocated lower than the rear end of the left foot support 2 a (right footsupport 2 b). In contrast, when the left foot support 2 a is located ata rear end of the travel path, the front crossbar 26 of the left footsupport 2 a has a height which is equal to a height of the rear crossbar26 of the left foot support 2 a. Similarly, when the right foot support2 b is located at a rear end of the travel path, the front crossbar 26of the right foot support has a height which is equal to a height of therear crossbar 26 of the right foot support. Therefore, in this case, theleft foot support 2 a (the right foot support 2 b) becomes parallel tothe horizontal plane.

In addition, each the foot support 2 is provided with a return means 27.The return means is realized by the spring which is configured to biasthe foot support backward. The return means 27 is configured to move thefoot support 2 when the pressure applied to the top surface of the footsupport 2 becomes equal to 10 percents of the normal weight (40 kgf to60 kgf). Consequently, the return means 27 moves the foot support 2 tothe rear end of the travel path such that the foot support 2 becomesparallel to the horizontal plane.

In the above exercise assisting apparatus, the seat 91 is moved alongthe V-shaped trajectory. In particular, the seat 91 is firstly movedforward and leftward, and is secondary moved backward and rightward suchthat the seat 91 is swung along the travel path of the left foot support2 a. Subsequently, the seat 91 is moved forwardly and rightward, andsubsequently is moved backwardly and leftward such that the seat 91 isswung along the travel path of the right foot support 2 b. Consequently,the seat 91 is swung along the V-shaped trajectory. When the seat 91 isswung along the V-shaped trajectory, the user's body and the user's legis also swung to trace V-shape. According to the swing of the user'sleg, the foot supports 2 which bear the user's foot are also swung alonga front-back direction. When the foot support 2 is moved to the frontend of the travel path, the foot support 2 is inclined such that thefront end of the foot support 2 becomes lower than the rear end of thefoot support 2. Therefore, the bending angle of the ankle is enlarged,whereby the pressure of 30 to 40% of the weight is applied to the user'sleg. In other words, the angle between the lower leg and the dorsum ofthe foot is enlarged, whereby the pressure of 30 to 40% of the user'sweight is applied to the user's leg. In addition, when the foot support2 is moved to the rear end of the travel path, the front end of the footsupport 2 has the height which is equal to the height of the rear end ofthe foot support 2. Consequently, the foot support 2 is parallel to thehorizontal plane. Therefore, the bending angle of the ankle is narrowed.Consequently, the pressure of 10% of the user's weight is applied to theuser's leg which is placed on the foot support 2.

With this configuration, it is possible to vary the condition where thepressure of the 30 to 40 percents of the user's weight is applied to theuser's leg on the foot support 2 to the condition where the pressure of10 percents of the user's weight is applied to the user's leg on thefoot support 2 by means of varying the bending angle of the ankle joint.Therefore, it is possible to vary the load acts on the legs and thebuttocks at a great rate.

In addition, it is preferred that the moving space 18 (travel path) ofthe guide rail 17 has a lateral inclination which becomes greater towardthe front direction. In addition, the moving space 18 (travel path) ofthe guide rail 17 has the lateral inclination which becomes smallertoward the back direction, whereby the foot supports 2 are parallel toeach other when the foot supports 2 are located in the rear end of theguide rails 17. More specifically, the front guide rail 17 a of the leftside has a shape which is same as a shape of the front guide rail 17 aof the right side. The rear guide rail 17 b of the left side has a shapewhich is same as a shape of the rear guide rail 17 b of the right side.The guide rail 17 of the left foot support has a shape in a crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving space18 which is in a symmetrical relation to a shape in a cross sectionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving space 18. Inthis embodiment, the outside of the moving space 18 becomes lower thanthe inside of the moving space 18 as the moving space 18 extendsforward. That is, in the guide rail 17 of the left foot support 2 a, theright end of the front end of the bottom surface of the moving space 18has a constant height over an entire length of the moving space 18. Theleft end of the front end of the bottom surface of the moving space 18extends toward a lower direction gradually as the moving space 18extends toward a front direction. The left end of the rear end of thebottom surface of the moving space 18 has a height which is equal to aheight of the right end of the rear end of the bottom surface of themoving space 18. In the guide rail 17 of the right foot support 2 b, theleft end of the front end of the bottom surface of the moving space 18has a constant height over an entire length of the moving space 18. Theright end of the front end of the bottom surface of the moving space 18extends toward a lower direction gradually as the moving space 18extends toward a front direction. The right end of the rear end of thebottom surface of the moving space 18 has a height which is equal to aheight of the left end of the rear end of the bottom surface of themoving space 18.

Consequently, when the left foot support 2 a moves toward a frontdirection of the travel path, both the front crossbar 26 and the rearcross bar 26 move forward leftward and downward. When the right footsupport 2 b moves toward a front direction of the travel path, both thefront crossbar 26 and the rear cross bar 26 move forward rightward anddownward. Also in this case, the foot support 2 is provided with thereturn means 27. The return means 27 is realized by the spring. Thespring is configured to bias the foot support toward the back direction.The foot support 2 is moved toward the rear end of the travel path bythe return means 27 when the pressure of about 10% of the user's weight(40 to 60 kgf) is applied to the foot support 2.

In addition, when the seat 91 is swung along the V-shape trajectory, theuser's body with leg is also swung such that the user's body traces theV-shape. According to the swung of the foot, the foot support 2 is alsoswung along the front-back direction. When the left foot support 2 a ismoved to the front end of the travel path of the left foot support 2 a,the left foot support 2 a is inclined leftward and downward. When theright foot support 2 b is moved to the front end of the travel path ofthe right foot support 2 b, the right foot support 2 b is inclinedrightward and downward. Consequently, the bending angle of the ankle'sjoint is varied. As a result, the pressure of 30% to 40% of the user'sweight is applied to the user's leg which is placed on the foot support2. In addition, when the foot support 2 is moved to the rear end of thetravel path, the left end of the foot support 2 is positioned in aheight which is equal to a height of the right end of the foot support 2in the rear end of the travel path. Therefore, the foot support 2becomes parallel to the horizontal plane. Consequently, the bendingangle of the ankle joint is diminished. As a result, the pressure ofabout 10% of the user's weight is applied to the user's leg which isplaced on the foot support 2.

Therefore, it is possible to vary the condition where the pressure of30% to 40% of the user's weight is applied to the leg which is placed onthe foot support 2 to the condition where the pressure of about 10% ofthe user's weight is applied to the leg which is placed on the footsupport 2. Accordingly, it is possible to vary the load which acts onthe legs and the buttocks at a great ratio.

In addition, when the left foot support 2 a moves toward the frontdirection of the travel path, the left foot support 2 a is inclinedleftward and downward. In contrast, when the right foot support 2 bmoves toward the front direction of the travel path, the right footsupport 2 b is inclined rightward and downward. However, it is possibleto invert the inclination direction of the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b. Consequently, it is possible to applyappropriate load to the leg of the user whose toe is positioned inwardlyfrom the heel. Similarly, it is possible to apply appropriate load tothe leg of the user whose heel is positioned inwardly from the heel. Itis possible to apply appropriate load to the leg of the user who hasknock knees. It is also possible to apply appropriate load to the leg ofthe user who has bow-legs.

FIG. 2 shows a preferable modification of the guide 4. In the guide 4,in a case where the foot support is allowed to be rotated about thevertical axis, the inclination direction of the moving space 18 in thefront guide rail 17 a and the rear guide rail 17 b of the left side isinverted. Similarly, the inclination direction of the moving space 18 inthe front guide rail 17 a and the rear guide rail 17 b of the right sideis inverted. More specifically, in the guide rail 17, the front guiderail 17 a extends toward a first direction in a lateral direction as thefront guide rail 17 a extends forward. In contrast, in the guide rail17, rear guide rail 17 b extends toward a second direction in thelateral direction as the rear guide rail 17 b extends forward. The firstdirection is opposite to the second direction. Consequently, the frontcrossbar 26 moves toward the first direction as the foot support movestoward a front direction. In addition, the rear crossbar 26 moves towardthe second direction as the foot support moves toward a front direction.Therefore, the foot support 2 is rotated about the vertical axis.

In addition, in each the guide rail 17, it is preferred that front guiderail 17 a extends toward a direction which is equal to the rear guiderail 17 b. Or, it is also preferred that the front guide rail 17 aextends toward the direction which is inverted with respect to thedirection of the rear guide rail 17 b. Consequently, the foot support 2is moved according to one of a first pattern, a second pattern, a thirdpattern, and fourth pattern. When the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b are moved on the basis of the first pattern, thefront crossbar 26 and the front protrusion 25 of the left foot supportmoves forward and rightward as the rear crossbar 26 and the rearprotrusion 25 moves forward and leftward. That is, the left foot support2 a is turned toward a clockwise direction. In contrast, the frontcrossbar 26 and the front protrusion 25 of the right foot support 2 bmoves forward and leftward as the rear crossbar 26 and the rearprotrusion 25 of the right foot support 2 b moves forward and rightward.That is, the right foot support 2 b is turned toward a counterclockwisedirection. When the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 bare moved on the basis of the second pattern, the left foot support 2 ais turned toward a counterclockwise direction. In contrast, the rightfoot support 2 b is turned toward a clockwise direction. When the leftfoot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b are moved on the basisof the third pattern, the left foot support 2 a is turned toward aclockwise direction. Similarly, the right foot support 2 b is turnedtoward a clockwise direction. When the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b are moved on the basis of the fourth pattern, theleft foot support 2 a is turned toward a counterclockwise direction.Similarly, the right foot support 2 b is turned toward acounterclockwise direction. The patterns are selectable on the basis ofthe user's leg.

Also in this embodiment, it is possible to vary the load which acts onthe legs on the foot support 2 and the buttocks by means of varying thedirection of the foot at a great ratio.

Next, another embodiment is explained on the basis of FIGS. 5 to 15. Inthis embodiment, the exercise assisting apparatus comprises a base 10, apair of foot support 2, the guide 4, and the drive unit 3. A pair of thefoot support 2 is provided for bearing the user's respective feet. Theguide 4 is configured to guide the travel path of the both foot support2. A pair of the foot supports 2 and the guides 4 are provided on thebase 10. The drive unit 3 is configured to drive the foot supports 2.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base 10 includes a housing which iscomposed of a top plate 1 b and a base plate 1 a. The base plate 1 a isshaped to have a rectangular shape. However, the shape of the base plate1 a is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, in order to explain theexercise assisting apparatus easily, a case where the top surface of thebase plate 1 a is parallel to the floor when the base plate 1 a isdisposed on the floor is explained. Therefore, an upper direction ofFIG. 9 is an upper direction of the exercise assisting apparatus whenthe exercise assisting apparatus is used. A lower direction of FIG. 9 isa lower direction of the exercise assisting apparatus when the exerciseassisting apparatus is used.

The base plate 1 a carries the top plate 1 b above the base plate 1 a.The base plate 1 a is cooperative with the top plate 1 b to constructthe housing 1. The base plate 1 a carries the left foot support 2 a, theright foot support 2 b, and the drive unit 3. The left foot support 2 abears the user's left foot. The right foot support 2 b bears the user'sright foot. The drive unit 3 is configured to move the left foot support2 a and the right foot support 2 b. Hereinafter, a front direction isdefined by a direction indicated by an arrow of X in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The top plate 1 b is formed with two openings 11 a and 11 b. Theopenings 11 a and 11 b penetrate through the top plate 1 b in thethickness direction. The openings 11 a and 11 b expose the left footsupport 2 a and the right foot support 2 b respectively. The openings 11a and 11 b are shaped to have rectangular shapes. In addition, theopening 11 a has a center line which extends along the longitudinaldirection of the opening 11 a. The opening 11 b has a center line whichextends along the longitudinal direction of the opening 11 b. The centerlines are inclined with respect to the front-back direction of thehousing 1. The distance between the center lines becomes greater fromthe rear end of the housing 1 toward the front end of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 10, the both width ends of each the opening 11 a and 11b are formed with slide grooves 12 which is oriented toward an inside ofeach the opening 11 a and 11 b. The foot rest cover 22 is formed withflanges 22 b. The flange 22 b is slidably inserted into the slide groove12. The foot support covers 22 are cooperative with the foot supportplates 21 to construct the left foot support 2 a and the right footsupport 2 b. The foot support cover 22 includes a main body 22 a whichhas a rectangular tubular configuration. The flange 22 b is shaped overan entire circumferential surface of the main body 22 a. The flange 22 bis formed along the opening of the main body 22 a. The main body 22 a isprovided at its lower end of inside with attachment plate 22 c beinglocated in the lower portion.

The main body 22 a has a length and a width. The lengths of the mainbodies 22 a are smaller than the respective lengths of the openings 11 aand 11 b. The widths of the main bodies 22 a are smaller than therespective widths of the openings 11 a and 11 b. The width of the slidegroove 12 is greater than the width of the flange 22 b. Therefore, thefoot support cover 22 is received by the slide groove 12 so as to beslidable along the width direction of the slide groove 12. The footsupport cover 22 is received by the slide groove 12 so as to be slidablealong the length direction of the slide groove 12.

The foot support plate 21 is shaped to have a rectangular plate shape.The foot support plate 21 has a size which is smaller than an inside rimof the main body 22 a. The foot support plate 21 is shaped to have asize so as to bear whole foot of the user M. The foot support plate 21has an upper surface. The upper surface of the foot support plate 21 ismade of a material which enhances the friction coefficient. The footsupport plate 21 is provided at its outer circumferential surface of thelower surface with a cover 21 a (21 b) integrally. The cover 21 a (21 b)is shaped to have a U-shaped cross section. In addition, the footsupport plate 21 has a lower surface. The lower surface has a surroundedportion which is surrounded by the cover 21 a (21 b). The surroundedportion is provided with a pair of the bearings 21 c integrally. Thebearings 21 c are arranged along the width direction of the foot supportplate 21.

The attachment plate 22 c of the foot support cover 22 has an uppersurface which holds the bearing plate 23. The bearing plate 23 is formedwith a recess which is oriented toward an upper direction. Therefore,the bearing plate 23 has a cross section which is shaped to have aU-shape. The bearing 21 c on the foot support plate 21 come into contactwith an outer surface of a side plate of the bearing plate 23.Furthermore, a shaft 24 is disposed over the attachment plate 22 c. Theshaft 24 penetrates through the both side plate 23 a and both thebearings 21 c. Therefore, the shaft 24 extends along the width directionof the foot support plate 21. The foot support plate 21 is configured torotate about the shaft 24 such that both longitudinal ends of the footsupport plate 21 swings upward and downward. The covers 21 a and 21 bare provided for covering the gap between the lower surface of the footsupport plate 21 and the foot support cover 22 when the foot supportplate 21 rotates relative to the foot support cover 22.

A lower surface of the attachment plate 22 c holds a truck 41. The truck41 has a cross section which is shaped to have a U-shape. The truck 41is oriented toward a lower direction. The truck 41 is provided with apair of support plates 41 a. A side surface of each the support plate 41a holds two wheels. The upper surface of each the base plate 1 a fixingtwo rails 43. The rails 43 are respectively shaped at its upper surfacewith rail grooves 43 a. The truck 41 is disposed on the rail 43 suchthat the wheel 42 comes into rolling contact with the rail groove 43 a.In addition, the rail 43 is provided at its upper surface with aderailment plate 44. The derailment plate 44 is provided for preventingthe wheel from derailing from the rail groove 43 a.

By the way, the longitudinal direction of the rail 43 extends toward adirection which is different from a direction of the lengthwisedirection of the opening 11 a (11 b). As mentioned above, the centerline parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening 11 a (11 b)is inclined such that the center line of the opening 11 a is spaced awayfrom the center line of the opening 11 b as the center line extendstoward a front direction. The longitudinal direction of the rail 43 isalso inclined with respect to the front-back direction of the housing 1.

The rail 43 is inclined with respect to the front-back direction of thehousing 1 at a first angular degree. The longitudinal direction of theopening 11 a (11 b) is inclined with respect to the front-back directionof the housing 1 at a second degree. The first angular degree is largerthan the second angular degree. For example, the longitudinal directionof the opening 11 a (11 b) is inclined with respect to the front-backdirection of the housing 1 at 30 degrees. The rail 43 is inclined withrespect to the front-back direction of the housing 1 at 45 degrees. Thatis, the exercise assisting apparatus is used in a condition where theuser's respective feet are placed on the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b such that a front-back directions of the feet isaligned with the longitudinal direction of the respective openings 11 aand 11 b. The longitudinal direction of the rail 43 is designed suchthat no shear force is applied to the knee joint when the positions ofthe feet are varied by the movement of the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b. In this embodiment, the left foot support 2 aand the right foot support 2 b are moved along respective travel pathsextending along directions which are composed of front-back componentand lateral component. However, it is possible to move the left footsupport 2 a and the right foot support 2 b along the front-backdirection or the lateral direction by disposing the rail 43 along thefront-back direction or the lateral direction.

With the above configuration, the left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b is configured to reciprocate along the longitudinaldirection of the rails 43. The longitudinal directions of the rails 43are inclined with respect to the center line of the longitudinaldirection of the openings 11 a and 11 b. Therefore, the foot supportplate 21 and the foot support cover 22 is moved along a direction whichcrosses the longitudinal direction of the openings 11 a and 11 b. Thatis, the above truck 41 is cooperative with the wheels 42, the rails 43,and the derailment plates 44 to determine the travel paths of the leftfoot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b. Therefore, the truck 41is cooperative with the wheels 42, the rails 43, and the derailmentplates 44 to act as the guides 4.

As shown in FIG. 12, the drive unit 3 for moving the left foot support 2a and the right foot support 2 b is composed of a drive source 31, aroute split unit 32 and the reciprocation unit 33. The drive source 31is configured to generate the driving force. The route split unit 32 isconfigured to split the driving force into two routes such that theroute split unit 32 transmits the driving force to the left foot support2 a and the right foot support 2 b. The reciprocation unit 33 isconfigured to reciprocate the truck 41 along the rail 43. In thisembodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, the driving force is split by theroute split unit, thereby being split into split driving forces. Thesplit driving forces are transmitted to the reciprocation unit 33.However, it is possible to split a driving force which is generated bythe reciprocation of the reciprocation unit 3 into two routes by thereciprocation unit 32.

The drive unit 3 is more specifically explained. The drive source 31 isrealized by the motor 31. The motor is provided with an output shaft 31a. The output shaft 31 is coupled to the route split unit 32.

The route split unit 32 comprises a worm 32 a and a pair of worm wheels32 b. The worm 32 a acts as a first gear. The worm wheels 32 b act as asecond gear. The worm 32 a is coupled to the output shaft 31 a of themotor 31. Each the worm 32 a meshes with the worm wheels 32 b. The worm32 a and worm wheels 32 b are housed in the gear box 34. The gear box 34is fixed to the base plate 1 a. The gear box 34 is composed of a gearcase 34 a and a lid 34 b. The gear case 34 a is formed at its topsurface with an opening. The lid 34 b is shaped to cover the opening ofthe gear case 34 a. The gear case 34 a is cooperative with the lid 34 bto hold a pair of bearings 32 c between the gear case 34 a and the lid32 b. The longitudinal ends of the worm 32 a are rotatably supported bya pair of the bearings 32 c.

The gear case 34 a is cooperative with the lid 34 b to hold a rotationshaft 35. The rotation shaft 35 penetrates through the worm wheel 32 b.The worm wheel is coupled to the rotation shaft 35 such that therotation shaft 35 is rotated when the worm wheel 32 b is rotated. Therotation shaft 35 is provided at its upper end with a coupling member 35a having noncircular cross section (having a rectangular cross sectionin the illustration).

The motor 31 is disposed between the holder 34 c of the gear case 34 aand the holding plate 13 a of the base plate 1 a. Consequently, themotor 31 is held by the lid 34 b which covers the gear case 34 a and aretainer plate 13 b which coupled to the holding plate 13 a.

As shown in FIG. 13, the reciprocation unit 33 comprises a crank plate36 and a crank rod 38. The crank plate 36 is provided at its one endwith the coupling member 35 a of the rotation shaft 35. The crank rod 38is coupled to the crank plate 36 through the crank shaft 37. The crankshaft 37 is provided at its first end which is fixed to the crank plate36, and is provided at its second end which is fixed to the bearing 38 awhich is held by the first end of the crank rod 38. That is, the firstend of the crank rod 38 is rotatably supported by the crank plate 36.The second end of the crank rod 38 is coupled to the truck 41 withrespect to the shaft 38 b, whereby the second end of the crank rod 38 isrotatably fixed to the truck 41.

As shown in the above configuration, the crank rod 38 acts as aconversion mechanism of converting the rotation force of the worm wheel32 b into the reciprocation movement of the truck 41. The crank rod 38is provided with each worm wheel 32 b. The truck 41 is individuallyprovided on each left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b.Therefore, the crank rod 38 acts as the conversion mechanism ofconverting the rotation force of the worm wheel 32 b into thereciprocation movement of each the left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b.

Because the truck 41 is, as mentioned above, configured to move alongthe travel path which is determined by the wheels 42 and the rails 43,the truck 41 reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the rail43 according to the rotation of the worm wheel 32 b. That is, therotation of the motor 31 is transmitted to the crank plate 36 throughthe worm 32 a and the worm wheel 32 b. In addition, the crank rod 38coupled to the crank plate 36 allows the truck 41 to reciprocate alongthe linear line parallel to the rail 43. As a result, the foot supportcover 22 coupled to the truck 41 is reciprocated along the rail 43. Thatis, the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b reciprocatealong the longitudinal direction of the rails 43.

In this embodiment, the worm 32 a and the two worm wheels splits thedriving force into two routes. The split driving force of each route isused to move the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b.Therefore, the drive unit 3 moves the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b which are associated with each other. The one oftwo worm wheels 32 b is meshed with the worm 32 a at a portion which isdisplaced at 180 angular degrees from a portion where the other of twoworm wheels 32 b is meshed with the worm 32 a. Therefore, when the leftfoot support 2 a is located at a rear end of the moving range, the rightfoot support is located at a front end of the moving range. The rear endof the moving range of the left foot support 2 a is located at a rightend of the moving range of the left foot support 2 a. The front end ofthe moving range of the right foot support 2 b is located at a right endof the moving range of the right foot support 2 b. Therefore, in thelateral direction, the left foot support 2 a is moved toward a directionwhich is equal to a direction to which the right foot support 2 b ismoved.

It is possible to cause the phase difference between the movement of theleft foot support 2 a and the movement of the right foot support 2 baccording to the positions where the worm 32 a meshes with the wormwheels 32 b. If the left foot support 2 a has a phase which is displacedfrom the phase of the right foot support 2 b at 180 angular degrees, itis possible to reduce the movement of a center of gravity of the user Min a front-back direction. Therefore, the user M who has low balanceability may use the exercise assisting apparatus. In contrast, if theleft foot support 2 a has a phase which is equal to the phase of theright foot support 2 b at 180 degrees, the exercise assisting apparatusallows the center of the gravity of the user M to move in a front backdirection. Therefore, it is possible to use the exercise assistingapparatus to exercise the muscles of the lower back for maintaining thebalance ability in addition to exercise the muscles of the legs.

The foot support plates 21 on the left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b are fixed to the shaft 24 such that the foot supportplate 21 is rotatable about the shaft 24 relative the foot support cover22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to vary the height ofthe front end of the foot support plate 21 and the rear end of the footsupport plate 21. That is, the ankle joint is plantarflexed anddosalflexed by varying the height position of the toe and the heel ofthe foot which is placed on the foot support plate 21.

By the way, as the exercise assisting apparatus is used, the left footand the right feet are placed on the left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b which are stopped in the default position, and then thedrive unit 3 is started. As shown in FIG. 15, the longitudinal directionDx of each one of the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2b is inclined with respect to the front-back direction (directionindicated by an arrow of X) at approximately 9 degrees. Therefore, thereis no possibility of twisting the leg of the user M when the user's feetare placed on the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b.

The position in the front-back direction of the left foot support in thedefault position is equal to the position in the front-back direction ofthe left foot support in the default position. That is, the left footsupport in the default position and the right foot support in thedefault position are aligned along a lateral direction. Therefore, whenthe user M places the user's feet on left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b respectively, a straight line extending along thevertical direction from the center of the gravity of the user M passes acenter between the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b.

As is clearly understood by the above configuration, when operation ofthe drive unit 3 is started, the left foot support 2 a and the rightfoot support 2 b is displaced in the front-back direction and also isdisplaced in the lateral direction. The left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b are reciprocated along the linear line parallelto the rail 43. The left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 bare moved along directions which is different from the front-backdirections of the feet. For example, the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b are moved along the directions which are inclinedwith respect to the front-back direction of the housing 1 at 45 angulardegrees. The movement distances of the left foot support 2 a and theright foot support 2 b are, for example, set as 20 mm.

Similar to this embodiment, the components of the base 10 being providedwith the hollow 15 and the grooves 16, the bottom of the hollowly beingprovided with guide rails 17 which act as guides 4, the foot supports 2with the crossbar 26, the protrusions 25, and the return means 27 aresame as the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, when the left foot support 2 a is moved forward andleftward along the travel path, the right foot support 2 b is movedbackward and leftward along the travel path. When the left foot support2 a is moved backward and rightward along the travel path, the rightfoot support 2 b is moved forward and rightward. Consequently, theexercise assisting apparatus is capable of being used by the user whohas low balance ability and also giving the above mentioned effect tothe user.

1. An exercise assisting apparatus comprising: a base; a pair of footsupports being provided on said base and shaped to bear user's left footand right foot respectively, and a pair of guides being provided on saidbase to define individual travel paths along which said foot supportsare guided respectively; wherein each said guide extends in a front-backdirection such that each said guide allows each said foot support tomove in the front-back direction, and said guide being configured toallow each said foot support to rotate about one of a back and forthaxis extending along the back and forth direction, a lateral axisextending along a lateral direction, and a vertical axis extending alonga vertical direction, while said foot support is guided to move alongthe travel path.
 2. The exercise assisting apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said foot supports are composed of a left foot supportand a right foot support, said travel path of said guide for said leftfoot support being configured to move said left foot support leftward assaid left foot support moves forward, said travel path of said guide forsaid right foot support being configured to move said right foot supportrightward as said right foot support moves forward, said exerciseassisting apparatus further comprising a drive means, said drive meansbeing configured to move said right foot support along an obliquedirection extending leftward and backward along the travel path for theright foot support as said left foot support is caused to move leftwardand forward along the travel path for the left foot support, and saiddrive means being configured to move said right foot support along anoblique direction extending rightward and forward along the travel pathfor the left foot support as said left foot support is caused to moverightward and backward along the travel path for the right foot support.3. The exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, whereineach said foot support is provided at its front half of a bottom surfacewith a front protrusion and at its rear half of the bottom surface witha rear protrusion, each said front protrusion being provided at itslower end with a front crossbar, each said rear protrusion beingprovided at its lower end with a rear cross bar, each said guide has afront guide rail and a rear guide rail, each said front guide rail beingshaped to receive said front crossbar and is shaped to guide the frontcrossbar, each said rear guide rail being shaped to receive said rearcrossbar and is shaped to guide the rear crossbar, each said front guiderail being inclined toward an oblique direction which extends forwardand downward, whereby the crossbar moves downward as said crossbar movesforward, each said rear guide rail being parallel to a horizontal plane,whereby a vertical position of the rear guide rail has a level which isequal to a level of a vertical position of the rear end of the frontguide rail.
 4. The exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 2,wherein each said foot support is provided at its front half of a bottomsurface with a front protrusion and at its rear half of the bottomsurface with a rear protrusion, each said front protrusion beingprovided at its lower end with a front crossbar, each said rearprotrusion being provided at its lower end with a rear cross bar, eachsaid guide has a front guide rail and a rear guide rail, each said frontguide rail being shaped to receive said front crossbar and is shaped toguide the front crossbar, each said rear guide rail being shaped toreceive said rear crossbar and is shaped to guide the rear crossbar,each said front guide rail being inclined toward an oblique directionwhich extends forward and downward, whereby the crossbar moves downwardas said crossbar moves forward, each said rear guide rail being parallelto a horizontal plane, whereby a vertical position of the rear guiderail has a level which is equal to a level of a vertical position of therear end of the front guide rail.
 5. The exercise assisting apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein each said foot support is provided at itsfront half of a bottom surface with a front protrusion and at its rearhalf of the bottom surface with a rear protrusion, each said frontprotrusion being provided at its lower end with a front crossbar, eachsaid rear protrusion being provided at its lower end with a rear crossbar, each said guide has a front guide rail and a rear guide rail, eachsaid front guide rail being shaped to receive said front crossbar and isshaped to guide the front crossbar, each said rear guide rail beingshaped to receive said rear crossbar and is shaped to guide the rearcrossbar, each said front guide rail extending toward a first directionin a lateral direction as the front guide rail extends forward, eachsaid rear guide rail extending toward a second direction in a lateraldirection as the rear guide rail extends forward, said second directionbeing opposite to the first direction.
 6. The exercise assistingapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein each said foot support isprovided at its front half of a bottom surface with a front protrusionand at its rear half of the bottom surface with a rear protrusion, eachsaid front protrusion being provided at its lower end with a frontcrossbar, each said rear protrusion being provided at its lower end witha rear cross bar, each said guide has a front guide rail and a rearguide rail, each said front guide rail being shaped to receive saidfront crossbar and is shaped to guide the front crossbar, each said rearguide rail being shaped to receive said rear crossbar and is shaped toguide the rear crossbar, each said front guide rail extending toward afirst direction in a lateral direction as the front guide rail extendsforward, each said rear guide rail extending toward a second directionin a lateral direction as the rear guide rail extends forward, saidsecond direction being opposite to the first direction.